Evonne Johnson

On October 15, 2025, at 77 years of age, our beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, Ruth Evonne Alldredge Johnson passed from this life, at her home in Syracuse, surrrounded by family.

Born in St. George, Utah on January 11, 1948, she was the 4th of 8 children born to Verl and Ada Alldredge. She loved St George and her family and told many stories about growing up in Utah's Dixie, spending time with grandmothers, cousins, friends; Working at the Frostop; driving north to play in the snow (which she hated because it was too cold); starring in group scenes of the movie "Windows of Heaven", living a couple of blocks from the temple; about her dad being a milk man; how hard her mom worked to care for them and about her parents being well-known and respected in the community. She cherished those memories and family relationships.

In 1966, she met Eddie Burton Johnson from Farmington, New Mexico because her cousin convinced her to go on a blind date. She found out he was living in her grandma Nelson's basement while he attended Dixie College. Her Grandma Nelson and Burt's Grandma Whetten had been friends as young girls while living in Mexico. Burt and Evonne became good friends and when he left on his mission, he told her that if she were still available when he got back, they would see what happened. He carried a picture of her in his wallet during his mission, but sent her a Dear Jane letter so he could concentrate on his mission.

While he was gone, she graduated from Dixie High and attended Dixie College. One of her professors told her that she would never accomplish anything in school because she wasn't dedicated enough. She decided to prove the professor wrong and received an Associate Degree in Home Economics, which she lived to its fullest.

When Burt returned from his mission in the Guatemala El Salvador Mission, he went to visit Evonne. They were married six months later on November 9, 1968 in the St George Temple.

After they were married, they moved briefly to Shiprock New Mexico, then to Provo Utah where Burt attended BYU. Thus began many moves to different locations as he pursued his schooling and work opportunities. They lived in Provo UT (Jed), St George UT (Angela), Salem UT (Shayla), Chester / Mt Pleasant UT (Rob), Puebla Mexico, Ephrata WA (Mark, Arlene, Carlene, Charlene), Post Falls / Coeur d' Alene ID (Kyle), Tooele / Erda UT (Ben), West Point UT, Clinton UT, and finally, Syracuse UT.

Evonne once said that the most wonderful thing that ever happened to her was Motherhood, as well as having a husband who was willing to work long, hard hours so that she could stay home to raise and love their children.

Together they had 10 children, 3 of whom were triplets. 2 of the triplets passed away within 24 hours of being born. The 3rd was Charlene, who was severely physically disabled. When her disability was diagnosed, the family had a council together to talk about Charlene and what her life would be like. The family decided together that we needed to keep her instead of sending her to a care facility. Evonne devoted the rest of her life to trying make Charlene's life as normal as possible while still caring for her husband and other children and serving in the Church.

She struggled at times, wondering if she had done enough, loved her children enough, served enough. She had difficulty at times remembering or feeling that she had worth and was loved by Heavenly Father.

Evonne was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in various callings such as Relief Society President, YW President, as counselor or secretary in various presidencies, YW Advisor, and Primary teacher. She served as Primary President twice. The first time was in Mexico in a Spanish ward, even though she only spoke English. She was blessed with the opportunity to work in the laundry area of the Ogden, Utah temple, and loved this additional opportunity to serve. She also supported her husband Burt in all his callings.

Evonne was a homemaker who baked countless loaves of homemade bread, canned farm produce, and cultivated her extensive collection of Christmas nativities and John Deere merchandise. (Which were all very proudly displayed throughout her home.) She enjoyed sewing and made or altered everything from jeans, shirts, suits, and dresses to wedding gowns, prom dresses, drapes, pillows, quilts, costumes, dolls, sock monkeys, and even personalized teddy bears for each grandchild made from Charlene's clothing. Sewing was not just her hobby, it was a labor of love that brought joy to herself and many others.

Family time was very important to her. She meticulously planned monthly combined family home evenings, holiday celebrations, and special occasions. The family would celebrate everything from Cinco de Mayo to what became dubbed "pie day," the day before Thanksgiving. Evonne's favorite holiday to celebrate with her family was Christmas Eve. Candlelight dinners with her beloved Christmas china, singing Christmas carols, a family gift exchange including a personalized gift for each grandchild, a cookie swap, and reenacting the nativity with handmade costumes for each grandchild were all essential parts of the holiday.

Evonne is survived by her loving husband, Burt; and their children, Jed (LaDawn), Shayla (Tyler) Cook, Rob (Liz), Mark (Julie), Kyle (Charise), Ben (LeighAnn); 28 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren with one on the way; as well as six siblings, Elma Jean May, Jerry (Gerri) Alldredge, Michael Alldredge, Nancy (David) Thompson, Dennis (RaeAnn) Alldredge, and Alan (Rinda) Alldredge.

Evonne was preceded in death by her daughters, Angela, Arlene, Carlene, Charlene; her grandaughter, Belle; her parents, Verl and Ada Alldredge; her parents-in-law, Floyd and Genevieve Johnson; and her sister, Darlene Larsen.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the hospice doctors, nurses, and CNAs, as well as the countless friends, neighbors, and family who loved, cared for, visited, and served all of us.

Evonne's life was a tapestry woven with threads of love, faith, sacrifice, and service. The legacy she leaves us with is stitched with love and cherished memories for which we will be forever grateful. We love you, Mom.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 20, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at the Syracuse Utah Legacy Park Stake Center at 2024 South 1475 West, Syracuse Utah. Family and friends may gather at the church for a viewing to be held Sunday, October 19, from 6-8 p.m. and prior to services from 9 - 10:30 a.m. Internment will be at Syracuse City Cemetery.